Shaw's future at Reds looks bleak

LUKE Shaw's Manchester United future looks bleak after Jose Mourinho accused the left-back of being a "long way behind" his team-mates.

A fine start to last season was brought to an excruciating end by a double leg break, but the 2016-17 campaign has arguably been even more frustrating for the 21-year-old.

Shaw has made just two United appearances in the last four months - despite overcoming niggles related to a long lay-off and being fit since mid-January - and been publicly criticised by Mourinho on several occasions.

The England left-back's last match came a month ago against Bournemouth when it is understood Mourinho was angered by the left-back speaking to an opposition player at half-time.

FROSTY

Relations have been frosty ever since and, despite doing extra sessions at home on top of United training, the future looks gloomy for the left-back - much to the bemusement of the player, along with some team-mates and staff.

Shaw's place in the pecking order was hammered home by Mourinho leaving him out of the squad entirely on Saturday, despite a spate of absentees leading to Matthew Willock being named on the bench for the first time against West Brom.

Asked what the left-back needs to do to get on the bench, Mourinho said: "Who? Luke Shaw? It's difficult for him to be on the bench.

"Because I cannot compare him with (Matteo) Darmian, with (Daley) Blind. I cannot compare the way he trains, the way he way he commits, the focus, the ambition. I cannot compare. He is a long way behind."

Mourinho laid into his attack and accused some of his players of disappearing against West Brom.

Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were the focus of Mourinho's ire after the 0-0 draw, with the United boss saying such consistency is not a one-off.

"It's not today," he said. "It's every day. It's every day, so I keep doing what I'm doing during the season.

"I try, I give chances. I give chances, I try. Play again.

"There is nothing else we can do."